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Nurses take politicians to work during Nursing Week 2012 (May 7-13)

TORONTO, May 9, 2012 – More than 50 members of provincial parliament (MPPs) will spend time away from Queen’s Park to gain more insight into the expertise of Ontario’s registered nurses. These politicians will join RNs at work during home care visits, hospital rounds, in nursing homes, public health units and community health centres.
A number of politicians are participating in the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) annual Take Your MPP to Work event. Now in its 12th year, this initiative allows politicians to shadow nurses across the province in a variety of settings – from acute care to street outreach. Politicians will learn more about how RNs help improve their patients’ health outcomes and quality of life by providing knowledge-based care driven by evidence, skills, compassion and dedication.

Rhonda Seidman-Carlson, RNAO’s newly minted president and chief nursing executive at The Scarborough Hospital, has hosted elected officials at her workplace during :Take Your MPP to Work in previous years. She says: “The event serves as an eye opener for politicians. It gives them a window to observe and comprehend the significance of the quality care we provide.” She adds that “politicians will see just how influential RNs are to patients’ experiences and clinical outcomes, as well as to improving the health of our communities, and our system effectiveness.”

* For additional details, please contact Melissa Di Costanzo at the contact information listed below.
The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses’ contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.